pencil
    n 1: a thin cylindrical pointed writing implement; a rod of
         marking substance encased in wood
    2: graphite (or a similar substance) used in such a way as to be
       a medium of communication; "the words were scribbled in
       pencil"; "this artist's favorite medium is pencil"
    3: a figure formed by a set of straight lines or light rays
       meeting at a point
    4: a cosmetic in a long thin stick; designed to be applied to a
       particular part of the face; "an eyebrow pencil"
    v 1: write, draw, or trace with a pencil; "he penciled a figure"

Pencil \Pen"cil\, n. [OF. pincel, F. pinceau, L. penicillum,
   penicillus, equiv. to peniculus, dim. of penis a tail. Cf.
   Penicil.]
   1. A small, fine brush of hair or bristles used by painters
      for laying on colors.
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            With subtile pencil depainted was this storie.
                                                  --Chaucer.
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   2. A slender cylinder or strip of black lead, graphite,
      colored chalk, slate etc., or such a cylinder or strip
      inserted in a small wooden rod intended to be pointed, or
      in a case, which forms a handle, -- used for drawing or
      writing. See Graphite.
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   3. Hence, figuratively, an artist's ability or peculiar
      manner; also, in general, the act or occupation of the
      artist, descriptive writer, etc.
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   4. (Opt.) An aggregate or collection of rays of light,
      especially when diverging from, or converging to, a point.
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   5. (Geom.) A number of lines that intersect in one point, the
      point of intersection being called the pencil point.
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   6. (Med.) A small medicated bougie.
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   Pencil case, a holder for pencil lead.

   Pencil flower (Bot.), an American perennial leguminous herb
      (Stylosanthes elatior).

   Pencil lead, a slender rod of black lead, or the like,
      adapted for insertion in a holder.
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Pencil \Pen"cil\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Penciledor Pencilled;
   p. pr. & vb. n. Penciling or Pencilling.]
   To write or mark with a pencil; to paint or to draw.
   --Cowper.
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         Where nature pencils butterflies on flowers. --Harte.
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   pencil in to write (a tentative appoinment) on an
      appointment calendar, so as to reserve time, but to allow
      the appointment to be readily canceled and replaced with
      another; -- also used figuratively, with other means of
      recording appointments. The notion being that something
      written in pencil can be more easily changed than
      something written in ink. The phrase is commonly used in
      the early stages of organizing a meeting of multiple
      persons, before it is known whether all attendees will be
      free at the suggested time.
      [PJC]

PENCIL

   Pictorial ENCodIng Language.  On-line system to display line
   structures.  Sammet 1969, 675.

PENCIL. An instrument made of plumbago, black lead, red chalk, or other 
suitable substance, for writing without ink. 
     2. It has been holden that a will written with a pencil, could riot, on 
this account, be annulled. 1 Phillim. R. 1; 2 Phillim. 173.